US Stocks rose this week driven by strong earnings.  So far 79% of companies have beaten their earnings estimates.  Ebola fears have subsided as no new cases have emerged from those potentially exposed in Texas.  Fears of an European slowdown also subsided as manufacturing and services picked up in September. The National Association of Realtors […]

Fear reigned this week as stocks declined further in another volatile week.  So let’s look at the fears affecting the markets one by one. First, is the specter of Europe sliding into a third recession in seven years and deflation in the Eurozone.  This fear was met head on Friday when the European Central Bank […]

The irrational behavior of the markets at times astounds me.  We have a steadily improving US economy, a Federal Reserve that is indicating a slow approach to any interest rate increases due to slower growth overseas and generally better than expected earnings.  We have a stronger dollar that is resulting in lower import prices which […]

It was another rollercoaster week in the markets.  Early in the week, Asian markets were down sharply due to the standoff between pro-democracy protesters and the Chinese government in Hong Kong and this affected world markets, including the US.  Then Ebola fears raised concerns as the first case starting in the US was reported.  On […]